High School Placement Test (HSPT)

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) measures a student’s ability in cognitive and basic skill areas and can be administered in a relatively limited amount of time. Since the entire battery is standardized the end results are directly comparable for all test areas and can be related to the level of the students at the time of entering high school.

Why does Brother Rice require the HSPT?

• It is a strong predictor of a student’s success in high school and on college entrance exams. For aspiring college students, it is beneficial to get a picture of how a student will score on the ACT/SAT as early as 8th grade.
• The test evaluates all students equally and on a level playing field. Each year, Brother Rice admits students from over 49 middle schools across the Archdiocese of Detroit.  Each school has its own curriculum, grading scales, etc.  The HSPT is the one element through the enrollment process that is the same for all students.
• The test prepares Brother Rice students for the more rigorous assessments they will receive in high school and college. The HSPT is very likely the most difficult test your son has met at this point in his academic career.

High School Placement Test Prep Course

Brother Rice High School offers a Prep Course for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) for 8th-grade students. This course provides a great opportunity for students to ease concerns about the HSPT by working with our faculty to examine the format and type of questions they will encounter. The HSPT Prep Course will be held on campus Saturday, October 21 from 8:00-11:00 am.

Sign up for the PREP COURSE by clicking here.

Take the High School Placement Test

Any 8th grade applicant interested in attending Brother Rice must take the High School Placement Test.

Register to take the HSPT by clicking here.

For more information on taking the High School Placement Test, please contact a member of the Enrollment Department at